A/Ibom, contractor trade blame over delay projects

The Akwa Ibom State government and one of its major contractors, the Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC) are trading blames over delay in the completion of the Eket-Ibeno dualisation and some other projects.

The state government threatened to blacklist the contractor and others who it said had not shown enough commitment and expertise in the execution of contracts, but the contractors on their part blamed the development on inadequate funding.

The state Commissioner for Works, Mr Ephraim Inyang, yesterday blamed the company for the problem, saying some contractors have not been able to deliver up to the value of funds that were made available to them.

He said the state government had been advancing N1billion on a monthly basis to the said company for the project.

“The governor has consistently released money on a monthly basis to CCECC, about N1 billion every month to ensure that job is completed according to schedule, but sadly they have been giving excuse that it is raining. And we have been asking them why is Julius Berger not giving the same excuse? They are working on the Uyo- Ikot Ekpene road despite the rain and you say you are an international construction company; why can’t something be done. Right from June, they have been advancing that money and yet nothing has been done. The delay today is not from government, it is from the company,” he said.

He threatened that the state government would not hesitate to terminate any contract if the contractor continues to give excuses, “rather than employ the necessary expertise to execute the project”.